Investment

Of the fuel types mentioned, we can easily state that petrol engine is the cheapest. This is because the petrol engine is the base engine and simplest one. CNG and LPG both require minor engine modification. The diesel engine is technically more complex than the petrol engine and hence also more expensive.

For a diesel engine, the design has to be adapted into account the nature of diesel, which requires a higher compression ratio for compression ignition to take place. Hence a diesel engine may be anywhere around lakh rupees more expensive than a petrol engine.

LPG and CNG are highly combustible, and hence the engine's inherent technology does not need fundamental changes. For installing LPG OR CNG kit the initial investment required is less. This would include the fitment of the cylinder and modification of the engine and starting system accordingly.

Running cost

The running cost of different fuel types is determined by the cost per litre /per kg of the fuel, and the mileage of the same.

The cost of petrol ranges from around Rs. 100.58 per litre through its differ slightly in different regions of India. The cost of diesel is around rupees Rs 85.01 per litre. The increased cost of petrol and diesel has led to a search for other alternative LPG and CNG the cost of LPG per kg is around Rs. 62.24/Kg and that of CNG around rupees Rs. 55.00/Kg

Now we have to consider the mileage of the car. Mileage varies a lot according to the specific model engine and driving behavior. So we will use the general average figure.
1. Cost of Petrol is Rs. 100.58 per litre, and it gives mileage of 22.97kmpl.
2. Cost of Diesel is Rs 85.01 per litre, and it gives mileage of 27.3kmpl.
3. Cost of CNG is Rs. 55.00/Kg, and it gives mileage of 24km/kg.
4. Cost of LPG is 62.24/Kg, and it gives mileage of 13.5km/kg

Maintenance

Purchasing a car, is a start of a long relationship. Besides normal running costs, the car will also require regular maintenance, and this differs per fuel type

Maintenance is mainly of two types -periodic maintenance and breakdown maintenance. Periodic maintenance requires the replacing of all oils, worn-out parts, as per the expected good life of the same.

The fact that petrol engine parts are cheaper than diesel engine parts make petrol engine cheaper for regular maintenance. Comparatively diesel engine maintenance are costlier.

Another important point to consider, is the frequency of repair which depends heavily upon the quality of manufacturer. LPG or CNG fitments require a frequent checkup of the connections. Hence, even though regular maintenance cost is quite cheap, it will be done frequently. Also for these engines the cost of repairs will increase significantly with the problems arising. Moreover when the fitting has been poorly maintained expenses will spiral quickly.

Performance

The parameters for deciding performance of any car are power developed for given capacity of engine, pickup, and stability in long and continuous usage.

Petrol engines have advantage over other fuels in terms of faster pickup and power. Diesel engines accelerate slowly and are more suitable for long usage LPG/CNG fitments suffer from a slight lack of initial pickup, but accelerate faster.

Environment

Nowadays environmental impact of a fuel type is considered during the purchase process. This is more so with the recent attention for global warming and the like. All the fuel types discussed here have different environment effects.

The effect of usage of each fuel depends upon the chemical content of fuel and the emission after combustion. Here, petrol has the disadvantage of emitting carbon monoxide, which is very poisonous gas. The petrol engine’s exhaust smoke is invisible but it is a quite dangerous gas which also contributes for global warming.

Diesel, through it emits dusty gas, has more environmental friendly mission than petrol. Diesel fumes do not contain certain harmful gases present in petrol fumes.

Nonetheless, LPG/CNG are much more environmentally friendly. This is caused because it is completely combusted and produces a clean exhaust gas.

It is also important to note that there is a general trend towards cleaner fuels and reducing the dependence on diesel and petrol. Hence, at DSR Ecotech are working seriously on the technicalities of the vehicles kit so as to make it perform best with alternative fuels like LPG/CNG etc. This means the attractiveness of these fuels will increase in the future.

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